News

GIZ-E4DR Project Hosted German Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke in Eastern Visayas

19 January 2024
German Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke poses for a photo with the GIZ E4DR Project Team, NEDA VIII, and local government officials and key employees of Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte
German Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke poses for a photo with the GIZ E4DR Project Team, NEDA VIII, and local government officials and key employees of Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte

The GIZ Strengthening Disaster Resilience and Risk Mitigation through Ecosystem-based Planning and Adaptation (E4DR) Project, led by Principal Advisor Andrea Teran, along with the NEDA Regional Office VIII, led by Assistant Regional Director Jam M. Colas, welcomed the German Ambassador to the Philippines, Andreas Pfaffernoschke, during his visit to Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte on 19 January 2024.

The Ambassador was accompanied by his wife Marina Pfaffernoschke, GIZ Country Director Immanuel Gebhardt and wife Paola Gebhardt, as well as GIZ Climate Cluster Coordinator Nicole Kranz.

The team met with Saint Bernard LGU officials, at the Guinsaugon Mount Nacolod viewing deck, where they received a warm welcome from Mayor Edito Mulig of St. Bernard, Southern Leyte.

They also embarked on a short trek to Guinsaugon Ground-Zero where the catastrophic Guinsaugon landslide occurred in 2006. Mayor Mulig expressed his deep gratitude to the German Ambassador and GIZ for their invaluable assistance in the aftermath of the disaster.

Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke meets Mayor Edito Mulig of St. Bernard, Southern Leyte Mulig of St. Bernard, Southern Leyte
Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke meets Mayor Edito Mulig of St. Bernard, Southern Leyte Mulig of St. Bernard, Southern Leyte
Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke walks through farmlands, in what was ground-zero of the Guinsaugon landslide in 2006.
Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke walks through farmlands, in what was ground-zero of the Guinsaugon landslide in 2006.
Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke together with the members of PASAHI MAPA.
Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke together with the members of PASAHI MAPA.

In addition, Ambassador Pfaffernoschke met with the Hindag-an Forest Savers Association Inc. (HiFoSAI), a people’s organization (PO) holding a Community-based Management Agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). During the conversation, they discussed the association’s operations and how they manage the Hindag-an Falls and Forest Park.
The visit of the German Ambassador to Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte, highlighted the strong collaboration between the GIZ-E4DR Project, NEDA Regional Office VIII, the LGU, and local people’s organizations, while also underscoring the deep diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Germany. It showcased their joint commitment to sustainable development and disaster resilience, marking a significant step forward in their collective efforts while strengthening the bonds of international partnership.

Group photo in Hindag-an Falls and Forest Park
Group photo in Hindag-an Falls and Forest Park

Link to Further Materials
Strengthening Disaster Resilience and Risk Mitigation through Ecosystem-based Planning and Adaptation (E4DR) – Sector Network Natural Resources and Rural Development Asia (snrd-asia.org)

Contact Person
Calvin Centino

Key Buzzwords
Ecosystem-based Adaptation, Disaster resilience, international partnership, sustainable development, climate change adaptation